Stained glass Windows

In 1901 and 1902 the interior of the church was made more beautiful with hardwood floors and doors, a paneled metal ceiling, and window frames of ash for the stained glass windows.  There are 17 stained glass windows, 14 of them as memorials to family members and former pastors.

Click on the image to enlarge

The Madonna window is a Tiffany-styled stained glass window.  Installed in 1901 or 2 and restored, releaded and cleaned in 2008.  It was given by the Kilburn family members of the congregation and famous for the development of the stereoptican viewer and slides.  

The Tabitha Window (Acts 9:36) in memory of Ellen Sanger and found in the Ladies Parlor

The Julia Ross Bracket window just east of the pulpit given by her sons. She was born in 1817.  In 1850 she began playing the melodeon in the church; later the seraphine, continuing until 1863.

 The Isaac Calhoun window on the east side at the north end. He was born in 1832.  From 1868 until his death in 1900, he lived in Littleton, a farmer, active in Littleton affairs.

Restoration of the Stained Glass Windows

In 2004, it was determined that after 100+ years, the lead between each piece of glass had softened due to the extreme temperature difference between the outside and inside of the church during the winter months and had caused the weight of the windows to bow and incur possible collapse.

In 2006, it was decided to restore the windows and after fundraising efforts, work began in 2007 and was completed by 2009.

Stained Glass Resources of Hampden, CT was brought in and contracted to do the restoration of all 17 windows.  The windows were carefully removed two at a time (with the exception of the Kilburn Window which they took by itselft) and taken to their studio in CT.  They were amazed that there was no wood rot after so many years; the ash wood framing was in perfect condition.  This is a testimony to how excellent the construction was when the windows were first installed in the early 1900's.

The entire cost of the stained glass restoration was $335,000, but with the improved technology in methods and materials used, the windows should not need any restoration again for 150+ years.